The White Hat Guide to

Ballarat

Ballarat

Ballarat

Overview

What can I say about Ballarat? It is the place where I grew up. As the
twig is bent . . .

I thought all large country towns had main streets with gardens and
statues in the middle. I thought all large towns had trams. I thought that
all kids in Australia could hop on a bike and as long as they were back
before sunset nobody would be too worried. I thought that the hills known as
Warrenheip and Buninyong were mountains because they were
called Mount Warrenheip and Mount Buninyong (even though they
were not as challenging as Mount Hollard-Smith - but you will need to
ask a local about that). I thought all towns had large botanical gardens
with statuaries. I thought all gardens had bloated roses known as begonias
(see or description of the Begonia Festival at
The White Hat Guide to
Begonias). I thought that when anyone's grandfather got sick they would
go to the cemetery to consult the 'chinaman'. I thought that all lakes
had reeds and black swans. I thought all large towns had a School of
Mines. I thought that Melbourne was big and imposing and where
neighbouring teenage girls went for mysterious operations and Melbourne
started at the Sunshine railway gates.

But then I went to university in Melbourne, and that is where the rot set
in . . .

This area contains Beaufort, Creswick, Linton, Casterton and Buninyong.
An alternative spelling of Ballarat was Ballaarat which still appears in
many older documents, and in fact the lyrics of the city song proclaim:

"B A double L double A R AT,It spells Ballaarat and it's home
sweet home to me.

Things to do

Ballarat

Things to do

Some forthcoming events in Ballarat:

Ballarat International Foto Biennale

With photographs from across Australia and around the world together with a
host of exhibitions and events the Ballarat Foto Biennale is the largest
photography event in the Southern Hemisphere. Full information at
Ballarat Foto Biennale

Clunes Booktown Festival

Indulge in a weekend of book browsing amid the historic streetscape of Clunes
- Australia's first International Booktown. Thousands of rare second-hand new,
small press publications and collectable books on sale. Talks from visiting
writers including Hazel Edwards, Tim Fisher, Geoffrey Blainey, Peter
Goldsworthy, Alice Pung, Anna Goldsworthy, Gina Perry, Nicholas Jose and
Scottish poet Ryan Van Winkle. Workshops on reviewing, with Peter Rose,
writing poetry, writing science and publishing. Meet the publisher sessions.
Begin your own book collection workshops, book road show evaluations, street
theatre, the Australia Fair Grand Concert Street Organ, wine, food, live music,
silent movie show on Saturday night with piano accompaniment. A special
Children's Booktown creates the world of Narnia with visiting writers Hazel
Edwards and John Nicholson. A unique opportunity to see rare books from the
State Library collection - a 15th century illuminated manuscript, a book printed
by William Caxton the first English printer and dated 1490, The Voyage of
Governor Phillips, 1798 and an artists book with a very special connection
to Clunes.Full details at
Clunes Booktown
Festival
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Golden Plains Farmers' Market - Smythesdale

Ballarat Bridge Mall Farmers Market

Situated in the Ballarat's city shopping strip between Grenville Street and Peel Street, White Hat suggests that this farmers' market is well worth a visit. You can talk to local growers and producers and there are live cooking demonstrations as well as entertainment for the kids.
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Ballarat Computer Swap Meet

A large number of stalls selling new and second hand computer equipment and related goods. A small entry fee applies. (Note - the dates and venue of this event can
vary. Click here to
confirm the current information on this event.
..

Ballarat Lakeside Farmers Market

A true Farmers Market. Situated on beautiful Lake Wendouree, the Ballarat Lakeside Market dishes up some of Victoria's freshest produce. While enjoying the live music you can sample & buy from up to 50 specialist boutique stalls featuring fresh fruit, herbs & vegetables, free range poultry and meat, deli style foods, regional wine, coffee, sausage sizzle and much much more. The Lake has never tasted so good.
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Ballarat Fine Art Gallery Arts Market

Ballarat Antique Market

This large antique market with a wide range of items is located on two floors of an old school building and also contains a museum with a small entry charge.It is morein the nature of a very large antique store and does not appear to have the space to cater for casual stallholders. When White Hat last visited (in April 2008) there was also a specialist coins area.
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